PFD for a VERY LARGE PERSON?

[floppychicken]

...Talking like 6' 10" and 400 lbs. Do I strap 2 together or what? I haven't seen one ANYWHERE that would fit this guys 'CHEST' or 'BELLY'.

Any Suggestions?

Cheers,

[S.A.S]

BPS has some 4xl life vests.

[Sundancefisher]

http://www.mustangsurvival.com/products/product.php?id=414

http://www.mustangsurvival.com/products/product.php?id=148

While the US sells many larger vests...chances are they are not approved in Canada. Be cautious what you buy...

Transport Canada Rules:

Unpowered pleasure craft less than 6 m (19’8”) in length
See separate sections for sailboards; paddleboats and
watercycles; canoes, kayaks, rowboats and rowing
shells.

Personal protection equipment

1. One (1) Canadian-approved personal flotation device or lifejacket of appropriate size for each person on board

2. One (1) buoyant heaving line no less than 15 m (49’3”) in length Boat safety equipment

3. One (1) manual propelling device (for more detailed description, refer to the
manual propelling device definition)

OR

An anchor with no less than 15 m (49’3”) of cable, rope or chain in any combination

4. One (1) Class 5BC fi re extinguisher, if the pleasure craft is equipped with a fuelburning cooking, heating or refrigerating appliance

5. One (1) bailer

OR

One (1) manual water pump fitted with or accompanied by sufficient hose to enable a person using the pump to discharge water from the bilge of the vessel over the side of the vessel

Navigation equipment

6. A sound-signalling device or a soundsignalling appliance

7. Navigation lights that meet the applicable standards set out in the Collision
Regulations if the pleasure craft is operated after sunset and before sunrise
or in periods of restricted visibility

A bailer or manual water pump is not required for any self-bailing sealed hull sailing vessel fitted with a recess-type cockpit that cannot contain a sufficient quantity of water to make the vessel capsize, or a multi-hull vessel that has subdivided multiple-sealed hull construction.

Note: Radar reflectors are required under certain conditions, (see page 49).
Pleasure craft propelled by oars and pleasure craft 8 m (26’3”) or less in length within sight of navigational marks do not require a compass.

http://www.wearalifejacket.com/regCanada01.html

Canoes, kayaks, rowboats and rowing shells less than 6 m (19’8”) in length

Personal protection equipment

1. One (1) Canadian-approved personal flotation device or lifejacket of appropriate size for each person on board

2. One (1) buoyant heaving line no less than 15 m (49’3”) in length

Boat safety equipment

3. One (1) manual propelling device (for more detailed description, refer to the
manual propelling device definition)

OR

An anchor with no less than 15 m (49’3”) of cable, rope or chain in any combination

4. One (1) bailer

OR

One (1) manual water pump fitted with or accompanied by sufficient hose to enable a person using the pump to discharge water from the bilge of the vessel over the side of the vessel

Navigation equipment

5. A sound-signalling device or a soundsignalling appliance

6. Navigation lights that meet the applicable standards set out in the Collision
Regulations if the pleasure craft is operated after sunset and before sunrise
or in periods of restricted visibility

Note: Radar reflectors are required under certain conditions (see page 49).

Pleasure craft propelled by oars and pleasure craft 8 m (26’3”) or less in length within sight

[DarkAisling]

http://www.mustangsurvival.com/products/product.php?id=414

http://www.mustangsurvival.com/products/product.php?id=148

While the US sells many larger vests...chances are they are not approved in Canada. Be cautious what you buy...

Pride Marine in Kingston Ontario sells the SAR Vest: http://www.pridemarine.com/index.cfm?category=10014|10079|10333&product=5923635&code=062533052611 for $174.99 in a XXXL. Hopefully this means it is approved for use in Canada?

If it wasn't, I would probably use it anyway (after a buoyancy test). I'd just have two PFDs in the boat for him: one that was approved even if it was far too small, and the Mustang (the one he would actually use) in the event the buoyancy test was successful.

The buoyancy test is simply having him strap it on, hop in the water, and see what happens. It is best to do it in water that is only chest deep or so. He can tuck his legs up to see if the vest can keep him afloat.

All PFDs should be tested, at least once a year. They do loose their buoyancy over time, and one really doesn't want to wait until an emergency to find out the PFD has failed.

[tbiddy]

Check out these. They are from the States so they might not be approved here but if he can float and it saves him in the event of an accident, does it matter?

http://www.amazon.com/Stearns-Competitor-Series-Life-Vest/dp/B000HWGW26

[Okotokian]

Go with an inflatable one... you could easily lengthen or add to the waist straps and you are good to go.

[TexasTornado]

Tractor tire tube

[big zeke]

Cabelas has a model in 4XL, West Marine (and a few others) have up to 3XL. It is worth checking out the rating although if it's OK for USCG it probably is OK for Canada.

Good on you for doing the right thing, even if it's not easy to find one itis important that this person has one.

Zeke.

[ghostguy6]

Shoot me a pm with the chest measurement you require. I have an extra xxxl (I think) pdf at home.

[Sundancefisher]

Check out these. They are from the States so they might not be approved here but if he can float and it saves him in the event of an accident, does it matter?

http://www.amazon.com/Stearns-Competitor-Series-Life-Vest/dp/B000HWGW26

Secondarily what matters after surviving is getting a ticket for an unapproved floatation device. I still believe it has to be certified in Canada as the US opened it up a lot to style and color and materials. Canada is stricter with making the primary goal safety rather than appearance.

[floppychicken]

Tractor tire tube

BAHAAH!.... (I wouldn't be able to fish around him then..., so that won't work) :(

[floppychicken]

Check out these. They are from the States so they might not be approved here but if he can float and it saves him in the event of an accident, does it matter?

http://www.amazon.com/Stearns-Competitor-Series-Life-Vest/dp/B000HWGW26

Those are pretty nice actually.... 7X! Wow....

[ghostguy6]

Not trying to Hi jack the thread but has anyone ever actually been checked to see if their pfd was C.C.G approved? Ive only heard of people being checked to make sure they had a pfd.

[BBJTKLE&FISHINGADVENTURES]

I have one of them CO2 canister mustang ones , as you know im far from a small person . I took it to a friend who made longer straps on the back works like a dream and it keeps me floated I tested it to make sure . You can also order some pretty large ones from Cabela's in the states . RCMP and Fish and Wildlife I think have more better things to do then to make sure they are coast guard approved . Heck I dont even wear one on a boat unless it gets real choppy then Ill put it on otherwise I have it near me .

[Rick.]

I'm sure given his situation no one is going to write him up for having the wrong type. It's more a matter of whatever works when your 6'10" I would think. Rick.

[deltravers]

bigcamo.com

Im 400 Lbs and I got a 5X from these guys (not cheap) It was about 190.00 after customs and shipping. Its says its only good for 250 but Ive been in the drink with it and it worked just fine. Call them as all of their items are not listed on the website.